1.1    Read and translate the following words and word-combinations.

an information system, deactivate processing, encode data, digital code, transform data into digital code, an information-processing cycle, a finger touch, a machine-readable code, an encoded piece of data, source documents, a separate transcribing step, input technology, error-prone transcribing, computer processing, the point of origin, a specially encoded price tag, a human error, time-consuming, a special reading device.

1.2  Learn key-words and expressions.

activate (v) – активувати; викликати

batch(n) – пакет

batch-processing system – система опрацювання пакетами

capture data – збирати дані

eliminate(v) – вилучати

encode data – закодувати данні

enter data – вводити дані

error prone – схильний до помилок

finger touch – дотик пальця

information processing – опрацювання інформації

machine-readable code – машинний код

memory location – комірка пам’яті

on-line processing - оперативне опрацювання

scan(v) – сканувати

source document – початковий документ

switch(v) – перемикати

transcribed input – закодоване введення

transform data into digital code – перетворити дані у цифровий код

trigger (n) – тригер; запускати

1.3    Read and translate the text.

COMPUTER SYSTEM INPUT

Generally, an information system is acti­vated by the input of data or information. Input can also deactivate processing, just as a light switch can turn off a light as well as turn it on. Thus, the primary role of input is to activate or deactivate infor­mation processing.

Input is a process that involves the use of a device to encode or transform data into digital codes that the computer can process. For example, if you press the letter A on the keyboard of a terminal or personal computer, you activate an information-processing cycle. The key is simply a switch that senses a finger touch and triggers a cycle to accomplish the following: (1) the keystroke is encoded, or converted into a machine-readable code, (2) the encoded piece of data is stored in a memory location for later processing, and (3) output is provided by displaying the letter A on the computer’s monitor screen.

Input can be classified  into two broad categories: (1) transcribed input—data that are captured by tran­scribing from source documents onto another medium that is capable of being input to a computer system and (2) di­rect source input—data that are cap­tured directly from their source without a separate transcribing step. Advances in input technology are moving the process of input away from transcription toward the capturing of data directly from their source.

For many years, the most common method of preparing data for input to a computer system involved transcribing the data into computer-readable form. Often, data exist in a source document, a form that contains the data to be pro­cessed by a computer, such as a pre-printed invoice. One of the earliest tran­scribing devices was the keypunch ma­chine. Data were entered on a keyboard and transcribed by punching combina­tions of holes into specially designed cards.

There are two major drawbacks to transcribed input. The first is that the process is time consuming. By the time data go through a transcribing process, it may take hours or even days before they are input to a computer system. The second is that the process is error prone. Human error is the single biggest cause of mistakes in data input.

Time-consuming and error-prone tran­scribing can be bypassed by entering data directly from their source with a special reading de­vice known as a scanner. This saves time by eliminating the step of pressing cash register keys, and it is also a more accu­rate way of entering data.

1.4     Find synonyms.

encode, convert, drawback, means, transform, capture, fulfil, enter, advance, gather, breakthrough, common, main, general, include, disadvantage, collect, primary, accomplish, involve, major, medium  

1.5     Give English equivalents.

перетворити дані в цифровий код, цикл опрацювання інформації, запустити цикл, збирати дані, підготувати дані до введення, введення даних з клавіатури, вхідне повідомлення (опрацювання запиту), пристрій сканування, клавіатура ПК, відчувати дотик пальця, перетворити в машинний код, зберігати в комірці пам’яті, інший запит, процес введення

1.6     Give Ukrainian equivalents.

information-processing cycle, batch-processing system, on-line transaction processing, office automation technology, satellite communication system, automatic teller machine, computer- based device, fast-food industry, computer-generated image, liquid-crystal display, pianolike keyboard, computer-aided instruction, computer-aided design, cathode-ray tube, floppy disk drive, graphical user interface, long-term storage, fibre-optic cable

1.7    Answer the questions.

1.       In what way is an information system activated?

2.       What is the primary role of input?

3.       What are the two categories of classifying input?

4.       What do we call systems using transcribed data input?

5.       What are the advantages of direct source input?

6.       What devices are used for direct source input?